Care on campus: 60% of medical students feel belittled: study

AKU found a strong link between feelings of depression among medical students.

KARACHI: Researchers at the Aga Khan University’s Department of Psychiatry found a strong link feelings of depression among medical students who think that they are being mistreated between either fellow students or faculty.

The study, “Prevalence of mistreatment or belittlement among medical students — a cross-sectional survey at a private medical school in Karachi, Pakistan”, was recently published in PLoS ONE.

According to the study, these students are often reporting being mistreated or belittled by faculty or fellow students. The cross-sectional study was carried out on medical students from Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from June to September, 2007.

Researchers distributed a self-administered questionnaire to 350 students. The questionnaire was divided into three parts. The first dealt with the demographics of the population, the second sketched out the various types of mistreatment, while the third assessed the mental health of students.

The questionnaire was completed by 232 students, which was a response of 66.2 per cent. Mistreatment was reported by 62.5 per cent (145 out of 232) of the respondents. Of them, 69.7 per cent (83 out of 145), were men and 54.9 per cent (62 out of 145) were women. Researchers found a significant relationship between gender, year division, stress at medical school and possible use of drugs or alcohol and reported mistreatment but no statistical relationship was seen with feelings of depression. An overall 34.8 per cent were depressed (77 out of 221). Although the study does suggest a high prevalence of perceived mistreatment and depression among Pakistani medical students, no association was found between these two aspects of medical student education.

According to researchers, S. Shoukat and colleagues, “There is a need to bring about changes to make the medical education environment conducive to learning.”

The researchers concluded, “Increased student feedback, support systems and guidance about progress throughout the year and the provision of adequate learning resources may provide help with resolving both of these issues.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2010.